How Much Does a Wheelchair Lift for a Car Cost?
An automotive wheelchair lift is an indispensable accessory for anyone who uses a power wheelchair or mobility scooter, but if you’re shopping around for one of these devices, you may be wondering, how much is a wheelchair lift for a car?
Once you understand the costs involved, you’ll be able to choose the wheelchair lift that is most suitable for your mobility device, vehicle, abilities, and budget. Please note that the prices provided here are industry averages and will vary across wheelchair lift companies, retail chains, and geographic locations.
Hitch-Mounted Vehicle Lifts
The simplest and most cost-effective wheelchair lift for a car is a platform attached to the trailer hitch that lifts the power wheelchair or mobility scooter slightly off the ground for driving. These wheelchair and scooter lifts start at around $800 and go up to around $2,000 for powered options.
Pros, Cons, and Tips
Hitch-mounted wheelchair lifts are best for cars, vans, and SUVs that don't have enough space inside the vehicle for a mobility device and/or an inside lift. You will, however, need to have enough space in your garage for the hitch and the platform and will need to factor in this additional space requirement when parking as well.
If your car doesn't currently have a hitch, you can have one installed fairly easily at the nearest U-Haul or repair shop. Make sure that your mobility device and the lift don't take you over the tongue weight capacity of your vehicle. To protect the lift and your wheelchair from the elements, consider purchasing specialized covers. These cost around $100 to $150 each. It's also a good idea to purchase reflectors for the wheelchair and the lift for visibility when driving at night.
Hoist Lifts
Hoist lifts or crane lifts are popular options for lifting wheelchairs and mobility scooters into the truck bed of a pickup truck and can be installed on either side of the vehicle. They can also be installed inside car trunks for lifting the heaviest part of folding and disassemblable wheelchairs. Hoist lifts start at around $1,500 and above for a powered lift.
Pros, Cons, and Tips
Hoist lifts are a practical option if you only need to lift the mobility device and want a lift that doesn't take up too much space. Because they don't require structural modifications to the vehicle, they are also a great option for short-term use or if you want to sell the vehicle later on.
When using a hoist lift in a pickup truck, it's important to secure the wheelchair or mobility scooter with straps and make sure the brakes are on while transporting it in the truck bed. If the device is allowed to roll around, it can cause significant damage to the device and the truck that costs hundreds or even thousands of dollars to fix.
Inside-Mounted Platform Wheelchair Lifts
Inside-mounted and hybrid inside-outside vertical platform wheelchair lifts are the next level up when it comes to a wheelchair lift for a car. Because these lifts often have power folding mechanisms and may require modifications to the vehicle's interior, they are more expensive, costing $2,000 to $3,500 and above.
Pros, Cons, and tips
An inside-mounted platform wheelchair lift comes with several advantages:
It can lift the wheelchair and the user together.
It doesn't add to the vehicle's dimensions.
The wheelchair isn't exposed to the elements.
The main challenge with inside-mounted wheelchair lifts is that they take up more space inside the vehicle, and passenger seats may need to be removed to make enough space for the lift. When purchasing an inside-mounted wheelchair lift, it's important to measure the available area to make sure the lift will fit.
How Wheelchair Lift Costs Compare to Other Kinds of Wheelchair Lifts
Depending on which model you choose and how many features it has, a wheelchair lift for a car may cost less or the same as other kinds of wheelchair lifts. For example:
Vertical platform lifts—often used instead of wheelchair ramps or stairlifts—can cost around $5,000 for a basic model.
Inclined platform wheelchair lifts can cost anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000 depending on the length and shape of the rail.
For vertical wheelchair lifts and vehicle lifts with "the works," you could be looking at a price tag up to $15,000.
Other Factors That Affect Wheelchair Lift Prices
Aside from the wheelchair lift model itself, you can expect to pay more for certain features and accessories:
Customized (non-standard) platform surface
Stronger materials and sturdier construction
Higher weight capacity for heavy power wheelchairs
Powered folding ramp
Electrical wiring for power wheelchair lifts
Obstruction sensors
Constant pressure controls
Remote control
Wheelchair lift installation costs
The best wheelchair lifts will usually be on the higher end of the price range because of the cost of the materials used to make them. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for—it's worth investing in a quality lift.
Do You Need a Wheelchair Lift?
If you're researching wheelchair lift prices, it's probably because you're buying (or thinking about buying) a power wheelchair or mobility scooter that doesn't disassemble. However, if the mobility device is only intended for short-term use, it's often possible to get rental power wheelchairs that disassemble to fit in the trunk or back seat of a car.
The rental power wheelchair offered by Mobility Plus in Denver, for example, disassembles so that the heaviest piece only weighs 37 lbs. The rental motorized scooters have heaviest pieces weighing 32 lbs, 44 lbs, and 57 lbs, for the basic, mid-range, and top-tier models, respectively.
How to Cover the Cost of a Vehicle Lift
A good wheelchair lift should last a long time. However, the initial outlay can be a significant investment—especially if you are paying for the cost of an electric wheelchair at the same time. While Medicare will often cover part or all of the cost of a power wheelchair or motorized scooter that's medically necessary, it doesn't usually cover the cost of a wheelchair lift for your car.
You can find information about grants and subsidies available to seniors and people with disabilities in Colorado through organizations including:
Wheelchair Lifts: An Investment in Your Quality of Life
Whether you end up buying an entry-level hitch-mounted platform or invest in a modified minivan with an inside-mounted platform wheelchair lift, the ability to take your wheelchair or mobility scooter with you everywhere you go can really be a game-changer.
If you're not sure which wheelchair lift would be best suited to your mobility device, vehicle, and lifestyle, a mobility retail representative will be able to provide personalized recommendations. Once you've chosen your lift and had it professionally installed, you'll be ready to hit the road.